Rodgers: We’ll Learn To Start Better
- Brendan Rodgers was left frustrated following Leicester City’s 1-0 defeat by Manchester United
- The Foxes were unable to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions
- Tune into Extra-Time from 6pm BST on Monday for analysis of the clash
Çağlar Söyüncü’s foul on Marcus Rashford resulted in the Manchester United forward beating Kasper Schmeichel from 12 yards, despite the Denmark international doing well five minutes earlier to deny Andreas Pereira.
City’s attempts to equalise, most notably through James Maddison, Ben Chilwell and Wilfred Ndidi, were thwarted, and Rodgers underlined the importance of starting games more positive at the full-time whistle.
“It’s frustrating,” said Rodgers. “We didn’t start the game well from the very first kick, from kick-off. Then, we gave away the cheap penalty and that sets you back. When you’re away from home in these big games, it’s not the ideal start, but we worked our way into it.
“I think [in] the last 15 minutes of the first half, we were better, and we found our confidence again. In the second half, we were much like ourselves. We worked the ball much quicker, to the sides, through the middle.
“Then, with a little bit of luck, we might have got a goal. But unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. The start of the game, that’s something I know has been a theme and something that we thought we’d become better at, but it’s clearly something we need to improve on.
“I think you have to reflect overall. It’s disappointing to lose a game. I think, as I said, we want to come to places like this and be really effective. The team hasn’t won here for over 21 years, but we get encouragement from the second half.
“The learning, at this level, especially away from home, is that we have to start better, otherwise we’ll get punished. It was a very close game, unfortunately it was decided by a penalty for us.”
While frustrated with the loss, Rodgers knows his side cannot dwell on the result, as they now prepare for a Saturday lunchtime clash with Tottenham Hotspur in a week’s time.
He added: “There are lots of positives today. The supporters were absolutely brilliant. We could hear them all the way through. That was fantastic. We weren’t getting carried away at the beginning of the season having not lost a game.
“Now we lose, we’re not getting too disappointed. There’s obviously a lot of work for us to do at this level to get to where we want to get to, but the beauty is everyone wants to work really hard and we’re all excited by the potential.
“I thought Jonny Evans was outstanding today. He’s showed why he’s played at this level – his quality, his composure, his calmness. Like I say, we’ve got a really good group of players who want to learn and they’ll continue to get better through the season.”